Crisco qualifies for election program

HARTFORD — State Sen. Joseph Crisco (D-17) has qualified for the Citizens’ Election Program for the 2014 general election.

The program is a voluntary program, which allows qualifying candidates for General Assembly and statewide offices to receive full public financing. To qualify for public campaign financing, candidates for state senate must raise $15,000 from at least 300 individuals residing in municipalities in their district. Participating candidates may only accept small dollar contributions from certain individuals — the maximum contribution is $100 — and no contributions from state contractors or PACs.
In most races, general election grant amounts are $27,850 for state representative candidates and $94,690 for state senate candidates, according to the State Elections Enforcement Commission, which oversees the program.

The 17th Senate District includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby and parts of Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge. Republican Phillip Tripp of Ansonia was endorsed to challenge Crisco.